We’re creating an online memory board for some of London’s lost venues. Since the turn of the century, London’s gay scene has lost over 100 venues.
We’d love for you to help us grow this historical archive of London’s lost gay scene. If you’ve got photos or memories of any of the venues you’d like to share please use the comment section below and we’ll add them right here.
Napoleons Club
An LGBT club on Bond Street
Memory from Paul:
“l worked at Napoleon Club in the early 1980s. It was a private members club located in the sizable basement of the Bonaparte Restaurant. Law at that time required new members to apply and pay a fee, but wait three days before they were allowed in.
The club reception was on the ground floor, but the bar and disco were down a narrow wooden staircase to the basement.Rumour had it that in Victorian times the building had been some kind of hospital or clinic, and stories were spread that the place was haunted by the ghost of a nurse. It certainly felt uncomfortable being alone there after everyone had left.The MD was a German guy named Hans, and the manager an Irish guy who decamped one night with the takings. An investigation showed that he had been skimming off a slice of the bar takings for years.Despite the odd laws, the place was generally very busy all week, and felt like a family”
Can you add more description or pictures? Add them at the bottom of the page in the comment section.
Open date: Unknown (Can you help with that?)
Closed date: Unknown (Can you help with that?)
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I used to visit the Napoleon in the 70’s when I visited London from my home in Toronto. It was my favourite club in London, and I loved everything about it. The location, the music, the ambiance, the people who went there. They were from every walk of gay life in London, from the top to the bottom. People were very friendly, and it was very easy to meet a man for a night, or for a longer term connection. I so miss gay London of that era, and especially that venue.
I visited the club in Bond Street in 1980 I was seeing a guy called Jim Rankin, some very happy memories from those years, I hope he’s still alive and happy and well.
I also worked at Napoleon’s 1985 to 1987 upstairs in the restaurant. Manager was Andy, Valdek ran the bar and bills, Marcia (Mark), Rebecca (Gianni) and Misty who ran horseshoe bar. Hans and Gabby the owners. Many happy and hilarious memories
Thank you for sharing the memory! Do you have any photos from back then?